Flooding has subsided at Upper Liard as the river level continues to fall steadily.

The river is now 52 cm below flood stage and continues to drop at a rate of about nine cm a day, hydrologist Ric Janowicz said today.

It has dropped 2.4 m since reaching its peak June 10.

A meeting was held Friday in Upper Liard with 23 residents and representatives from several government departments. Those included the Yukon Housing Corp., the Departments of Community Services, Environment, Health and Social Services, and representatives from the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), Yukon Wildland Fire Management and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada.

EMO spokesman Matt King said today all but one owner of a damaged home was at the meeting.

King said the session's purpose was to keep residents updated on the next steps. Those include plans for damage assessments to homes and community infrastructure, which will occur this week.

The Department of Environment will also inspect the area for hazardous material and fuel spills.

Safety precautions for when residents can re-enter homes were also discussed.

King said residents need to be aware of mold, for instance. The Department of Health and Social Services will be providing masks and rubber gloves for residents when they are able to re-enter.

Once the assessments are complete, a recovery plan will be developed and implemented.

"Before a recovery plan can be put into place, we need to understand the extent of the damages,” he said.

That's where the focus is now, "as well as making sure residents' immediate needs are being met.”

So far, most residents are staying with friends and family, but Health and Social Services representatives are available to assist with finding accomodation and other immediate needs.

While Janowicz didn't have exact numbers to share about river levels at Lower Post, B.C., he said the situation is likely the same as in Upper Liard.

Flood threats at the Pelly River have also passed.

The Pelly River at Ross River peaked Saturday at approximately 40 cm below flood stage, Janowicz said. It has dropped about 25 cm since then and is also falling steadily.

The spring snow melt is behind us now, he said, lessening the threat of any more flooding.

Climate change may see weather events occur more frequently ...